Synopsis

An intimate conversation about music and creativity, between the internationally bestselling writer and a world-class conductor. 'My only purpose in this book was for me, as a music lover, to have a discussion of music with the musician Seiji Ozawa that was as open and honest as possible. I simply wanted to bring out the ways that each of us (though on vastly different levels) is dedicated to music.' Haruki Murakami's passion for music runs deep. Before turning his hand to writing, he ran a jazz club in Tokyo, and the aesthetic and emotional power of music permeates every one of his much-loved books. Now, in Absolutely on Music, Murakami fulfills a personal dream, sitting down with his friend, acclaimed conductor Seiji Ozawa, to talk about their shared interest. Transcribed from lengthy conversations about the nature of music and writing, here they discuss everything from Brahms to Beethoven, from Leonard Bernstein to Glenn Gould, from record collecting to pop-up orchestras, and much more. Ultimately this book gives readers an unprecedented glimpse into the minds of two maestros.

Below you'll find a selection of music that Haruki Murakami and Seiji Ozawa listen to and discuss throughout Absolutely On Music. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of every composition in the book, but rather a sampling of the pieces mentioned. We hope that it will give you a taste of the breadth and range of their musical conversations; and perhaps inspire you to listen to more of the music that they talk about in the book.

Should you choose to seek out a track or performance that is not included here, we invite you to share it with us, and the rest of Haruki’s fans, on his Facebook page.

Haruki Murakami (Author) Haruki Murakami is the author of many novels as well as short stories and non-fiction. His books include Norwegian Wood, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Kafka on the Shore, 1Q84, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage, The Strange Library and Wind/Pinball. His work has been translated into more than fifty languages, and the most recent of his many international honours are the Jerusalem Prize and Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award.Seiji Ozawa (Author) Seiji Ozawa served as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for twenty-nine years, and was music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Ravinia Festival, and Wiener Staatsoper. With Kazuyoshi Akiyama, he formed the Saito Kinen Orchestra and is the director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Ozawa has been deeply involved in musical education through his work with Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland and as founder of the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project, organizations which provide opportunities to outstanding students in Asia and Europe. Among his many honours, Ozawa has been awarded the Officier de la Legion d'Honneur in France, the Japanese Order of Culture, the Kennedy Center Honors, and a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.

Staff Choice

Below you'll find a selection of music that Haruki Murakami and Seiji Ozawa listen to and discuss throughout Absolutely On Music. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of every composition in the book, but rather a sampling of the pieces mentioned. We hope that it will give you a taste of the breadth and range of their musical conversations; and perhaps inspire you to listen to more of the music that they talk about in the book.
Should you choose to seek out a track or performance that is not included here, we invite you to share it with us, and the rest of Haruki’s fans, on his Facebook page.

Two cultural icons discuss not only the central role of the conductor (and their sometimes impassioned temperaments) but also that of soloists, orchestras and composers' directions (or lack of) in making good music. Full of anecdotes, this rich source for musicophiles is also a testament to the enduring nature of friendship and the joys of sharing a common interest.

Mohara, Charing Cross Road

Charing Cross Rd Bookshop - 08/11/2016

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Our knowledgeable and fabulous Languages Department have put together a great selection of books, to help share the magic of reading in every language. First up we have books in Italian, Portugese and Swedish.